James Talarico’s Beautiful Answer to Christian Nationalism | The Ezra Klein Show

State Representative James Talarico of Texas might have been our most requested guest last year. And he seemed to come out of nowhere. Talarico started breaking through with viral videos on TikTok and Instagram. And in those videos, he didn’t sound like your typical Democrat. He’s forthrightly Christian, quoting Scripture to defend progressive positions and challenging Christian nationalism on Christian grounds. And he is now running for Senate in Texas — in a primary field that includes U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett — in what will be one of the most important Senate races this year. So I wanted to have Talarico on the show to talk about his faith, his politics and the way those two have come together in this attentional moment. Because he’s clearly saying things that people are hungry to hear. 2:40 The root and experience of James Talarico’s beliefs 10:49 How to think about competing claims of different religions 12:15 James Talarico’s relationship to prayer 16:27 Progressive christianity, abortion and Talarico on Joe Rogan 19:33 Politicized Christianity and the religious right 27:11 Loud in christianity and cruel in politics 35:54 The rage economy 40:53 Should there be billionaires? 1:01 What is the antithesis of Trumpism? Read the full transcript here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/op... Watch more on ‪@EzraKleinShow‬ Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-...